Ultra-compact AirLink® XR60 5G router now certified for T-Mobile’s dedicated first responder network slice, which delivers up to five times network resources during emergencies
Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading provider of high-performance semiconductor, Internet of Things (IoT) systems and cloud connectivity service solutions, today announced that several products, including its AirLink® XR60 5G router solution has received certification for T-Mobile’s T-Priority solution featuring a dedicated slice of its 5G Standalone (SA) network. With 240 million calls made to 911 in the U.S. each year—averaging 10,000 emergency calls per hour—and call volumes surging 30-50% during natural disasters, reliable emergency communications have never been more critical. T-Priority was purpose-built for the millions of first responders and critical infrastructure personnel in the U.S., addressing their urgent need for reliable and resilient connectivity.
“The public safety sector is experiencing explosive growth in cellular router adoption,” said Fredrik Stålbrand, principal analyst at Berg Insight. “Semtech AirLink XR60’s T-Priority certification hits the market at a critical juncture—5G deployments are accelerating just as emergency services demand more from their networks. This isn’t just another router enhancement; it represents the convergence of secure, always-on, high-performance connectivity and mission-critical network slicing that will reshape how first responders connect in life-or-death situations.”
“When seconds mean the difference between life and death, first responders cannot be delayed by network congestion,” said Kinana Hussain, vice president of networking solutions at Semtech. “Our AirLink XR60 with T-Priority certification provides a trusted connection that first responders can depend on when lives are on the line. This certification builds on 25 years of AirLink innovation, delivering advanced connectivity solutions for those who serve and protect us all.”
The certification comes after rigorous lab and field testing to validate the XR60’s ability to support 5G SA technology and the specialized settings required to access T-Mobile’s dedicated network slice for first responders and critical infrastructure organizations. Through Semtech’s latest AirLink OS 5.2 release, both existing and new XR60 deployments will be able to leverage these advanced capabilities without requiring hardware upgrades.
The multi-network AirLink XR80 Gen2 and XR90 Gen2 routers have also achieved T-Priority certification, further expanding connectivity options for first responders across different deployment scenarios.
T-Mobile recently announced it has deployed the first nationwide 5G Advanced network in the U.S. The carrier leverages this advanced infrastructure to power T-Priority, the nation’s first dedicated network slice for first responders and critical infrastructure organizations. This innovative technology provides emergency personnel with up to five times the network resources of average users, enabling higher capacity, faster speeds, and minimum service levels during critical situations. These enhanced capabilities further help deliver critical advantages in the field: emergency responders can transmit high-definition video from disaster scenes without interruption. Law enforcement personnel can maintain constant communication during active incidents even in congested urban areas. Firefighters can access building schematics and real-time data while battling blazes. EMS teams can conduct video consultations with hospitals while en route—potentially saving precious minutes when lives are at stake. Utility crews responding to storm damage can coordinate power restoration efforts through real-time data sharing and maintain critical communications even when commercial power is disrupted.
